Huguette Clark's mansion sold for $14.3 million

Updated 10:55 am, Tuesday, April 15, 2014

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This photo provided in 2010 by Barbara Cleary's Realty Guild shows the estate of Huguette Clark in New Canaan that had never been occupied by the copper heiress. The estate was sold this week for $14.3 million. (AP Photo/File) less

This photo provided in 2010 by Barbara Cleary's Realty Guild shows the estate of Huguette Clark in New Canaan that had never been occupied by the copper heiress. The estate was sold this week for $14.3 million. ... more

Photo: Anonymous, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huguette Clark's mansion sold for $14.3 million

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After nine years on the market, the legendary 52-acre estate of Huguette Clark in New Canaan finally has been sold.

The property, which was listed at $15.9 million, was purchased Monday for $14.3 million by De Lom Partners LLC.

Marc A. Landis, the manager and attorney for De Lom Partners, as well as Realtor Barbara Cleary, who represented the estate, would not reveal who's behind the purchase.

However, NBC News investigative reporter Bill Dedman, who wrote the 2013 book "Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune," reported Monday that the buyers are fashion designer Reed Krakoff and his wife. Krakoff, a former Coach executive, was not available for comment.

Also known as Le Beau Chateau, the property was owned by the estate of the late reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark, who purchased the mansion in 1951 but never spent a night there.

The property was put on the market in 2005 with the price of $34 million.

Cleary said the mansion was "the most extraordinary" property she has represented in a long time, if not ever. "It was quite a pleasure to be able to represent this estate," Cleary said.

The mansion, located at 104 Dans Highway, lies behind a small forest of trees in northern New Canaan.

In recent years, the property was rezoned into 10 subdivisions, but Cleary said the buyers will own the entire estate.

De Lom Partners was registered on Feb. 7, 2014 -- just days before the sale went pending. At that time, Cleary said the buyers intend to restore and renovate both the house and the property. Cleary also said the buyers are "creative" and intend to live there.

"It's good for us to know that this incredible and historical estate will remain intact as of one of the area's crown jewels," she said in February.

On Barbara Cleary's Realty Guild's website, the mansion is described as "one of Fairfield County's last great estate properties."

The residence features 11 fireplaces, a service courtyard for parking cars, a full basement, a walk-up attic and a terrace, according to the website.

Clark, the daughter of turn-of-the-century copper tycoon and U.S. Sen. William Clark, died in 2011 at the age of 104, leaving behind a massive fortune, which fell into a battle between her distant relatives and her legal team. The feud was settled in the fall.

Clark had few friends and rarely left her palatial Fifth Avenue apartment in Manhattan.